World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world. The first World Youth Days took place in Rome in the 1980s, with the first official international World Youth Day held in Argentina in 1987.
Christchurch Diocese pligrimage trip to WYD, 2011
Overview of the pilgrimage
World Youth Day (WYD) is being held in Madrid, Spain August 16 – 21, 2011 and the Diocese of Christchurch is organizing a 4 week pilgrimage including WYD. A full itinerary can be downloaded on the sidebar but a brief summary follows. The pilgrimage will visit significant holy sites especially incorporating places which are significant in the history and the life of the Church in New Zealand. Included therefore are the places where the Society of Mary first began and where Bishop Pompallier, the first Bishop of New Zealand, came from. After a night in Singapore en route, our Pilgrimage begins with 3 days in London from which we travel to Paris, France. We will spend 4 days in Paris being hosted by a local parish who visited this Diocese during WYD 2008. While in Paris we will take in many significant sites as well as a day trip to Lisieux, the home of St Therese. We then head to Lyon and visit places of significance to the Church in New Zealand. We make our way to Lourdes for 2 days in this special place of healing where our Lady appeared to St Bernadette. We then work our way into Spain visiting sites such as Avila, San Sebastian and Burgos. We arrive in Madrid where we spend a week at World Youth Day before we head to Rome for the final 4 days of our pilgrimage together. The group is limited to 45 pilgrims.
Bishop Barry Jones invites you to attend WYD 2011
“… many young people attending World Youth Days have experienced a renewed and deepened faith in Jesus and His Church. I now take this opportunity to encourage the young adults of the Diocese to prayerfully consider attending World Youth Day in August next year...”
Cost
The estimated cost for the pilgrimage is $6600 NZ excluding spending money. This estimated cost includes air travel, accommodation (twin share), WYD week fee, all coach travel and some meals. It does not include personal spending money, insurance outside of the WYD week, entrance to some sites and gratuities. The estimated cost is subject to the number of pilgrims traveling, the exchange rate, airline bookings and deposit. The WYD week fee includes all meals, simple accommodation, insurance for that week and entrance to all WYD events.
How old do I have to be?
WYD is an event for those aged 18 – 35. If you are outside this age bracket you may still be able to come. Those aged 16 or under will need to be accompanied by one of the following: parent, legal guardian, grandparent or aunt / uncle. Those aged 17 will need to be accompanied by a chaperone. Those aged over 35 apply as per below but there participation will not be confirmed until the deadline for applications from pilgrims aged under 36 has passed.
Applications & Timeline
All potential pilgrims must complete an application form which includes a form to be filled out by a nominated referee. Application forms are available from the CYT office (or can be downloaded here) and are now being accepted with a $300 refundable deposit. The first round of applications closes on August 1, 2010. A further round will open on this date if there are spaces still available. These will be open until December 1st or whenever the bus is full. On that date a further $700 is required and the $300 becomes nonrefundable. The balance will be due in April 2011.
What to do next.
Register your interest with the CYT by emailing moconnell@chch.catholic.org.nz or by ringing 03 366 9869 and asking for Matt.